“There is nothing destroyed by sanctification but that which would destroy us.”
William Jenkyn
Charles Spurgeon used to say that gold in the purse of a thief was still gold. What he meant was that all truth was golden even when presented in a context or system that is false (i.e. other religions). But what do we say about truth that is presented within a context that is sacred or sanctified? Well, we can call that golden apples in silver settings. As the Bible tells us, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” (Prov. 25:11) And we have had our share of golden apples from Jim’s excellent sermon last Sunday on Exodus 15:22-27. Here are a few I picked out for you to chew on this week:
- Grumbling comes from anxiety about things you have no control over; it is worry expressed in anger. Israel grumbled out of fear for their lives, forgetting the promise and providence of God to always care for them. They grumbled about bitter water, and they became bitter themselves.
- We can cry out to God, but we must not grumble against God. Crying out brings our complaint to God in lament; grumbling complains against God himself and blames God for our circumstances. Crying out enters the courtroom looking for mercy from God as the righteous Judge; grumbling puts God on trial as a criminal. Crying out is born out of trust in God, recognizing him as the only One who can save; grumbling is born out of unbelief and spiritual blindness to all God is and does. Crying out calls out to God for his merciful response; grumbling lectures God and demands that he pay for our suffering.
- God tests us. Will you trust his promise? Will you believe his character? Will you hope in his reward? Will you rest in his provision? You don’t know what he will do, but you can be confident that in all he does, he has designed it to build you up in faith, to relinquish your grasp on false hope, to reveal his nature, to glorify and proclaim Christ. This is the greatest gift God can give. This is what we really need. Will you still trust Him?
If you have not had the opportunity to hear the whole sermon, then please visit the church’s website where it can be found. Have a blessed week and we will see many of you soon.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Dale
